Web Essay: Another answer for Greece-prayer controversy

An American flag flies in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

When I covered the Greece town meetings 50 years ago as a young D&C reporter, we never had brouhahas such as the current one over prayer before a meeting. But it really need not go into the courts. There is a simple solution, assuming that the prayers continue.

Rochester metro area has populations of Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Baha'is and probably Zoroastrians. There may be more, such as atheists and agnostics, who should also be given a shot at talking to Him (or is it Her?). The solution is that each population should be given a chance in a simple rotation. Subpopulations among the major religions need to work it out among themselves who will represent them in prayer.

For example, Christians are probably the largest population. Although there are many denominations, they all revere Jesus Christ. So the Christians need to choose a prayer among themselves to represent Christianity for opening a town meeting. Similarly, the Jews should choose among the Reform, Conservative or other denomination, and the Muslims among Shiites and Sunnis, and so forth.

I've mentioned seven religions, but there may be more. In any case, let Christians have a prayer every seventh meeting and the same for Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc. The biggest problem I see is how to enfranchise the atheists and agnostics. Do we lump them or split them into separate groups?

Admittedly, atheists would have a difficult time, but maybe they could recite a poem or sing a short song, as long as it's spiritual, to set the mood. Agnostics would have it easier because they could always pray to something they're not sure exists as a kind of insurance. So I've solved my own dilemma: separate them, just like all the religions, and the denominations within each religion, have separated themselves from each other.

But this raises one more question for me. If there is an Unknowable Essence, an Intelligent Force (variously known as Allah, God, Yahweh) that has created everything from scratch, then why has that Force created religions that have warred with each other since before historical time began?

Just asking.

Peter Haug now lives in Colfax, Wa.

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Web Essay: Another answer for Greece-prayer controversy

If there is an Intelligent Force, why has that Force created religions that have warred with each other since before historical time began?

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